St.

Stephen’s Episcopal
Church

1 9 0 Ra ughl e y Hi l l Rd.
Ha rri ngton, De l aw are
3 0 2 -39 8 -3 71 0
www.ststephensde.org

O ur Mi s s i on i s to grow a c ongre ga ti on tha t

w el c ome s a l l , to c ome toge the r to c e l e bra te
our be l i e f i n J es us Chri s t through bi bl i c a l
te a c hi ngs a nd pra ye r w hi l e s tri vi n g to a c hi e ve
a s pi r i tual c onnec ti on a nd fe l l ow shi p w i thi n i ts
m e m be r s hi p a nd c ommuni t y w e s er ve .

Holy Eucharist
July 9, 2023
th
6 Sunday after Pentecost
 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Processional Hymn- S t an d H 365

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us Pray.

The Collect:

O God, you have taught us to keep all your

commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us
the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to
you with our whole heart, and united to one another with
pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.

The Lessons:

A Reading from Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67: Kenda Galipo

The servant said to Laban, “I am Abraham’s servant.
The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become
wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold,
male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my
master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and
he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear,
saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the
daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you
shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife
for my son.’ “I came today to the spring, and said, ‘O LORD,
the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make
successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the
spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw,
to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your
jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw
for your camels also” —let her be the woman whom
the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ “Before I had
finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out
with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the
spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She
quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink,
and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also
watered the camels. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are
you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom
Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the
bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped
the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master
Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the
daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if
you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if
not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to
the left.” And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you
go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their
sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant
and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May
you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your
offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” Then
Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and
followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went
his way. Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was
settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in
the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And
Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped
quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, “Who is the
man over there, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant
said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered
herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had
done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He
took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So
Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. The Word of
the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Psalm 45: 11-18: Janet Voss

11 "Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; *

forget your people and your father's house.
 12 The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *
he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13 The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *
the rich among the people seek your favor."
14 All glorious is the princess as she enters; *
her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15 In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; *
after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16 With joy and gladness they are brought, *
and enter into the palace of the king.
17 "In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *
you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18 I will make your name to be remembered
from one generation to another; *
therefore nations will praise you for ever and
ever."

The Epistle- Romans 7: 15-25a: Kenda Galipo

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I
want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not
want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I
that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that
nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will
what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I
want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what
I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells
within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what
is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God
in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war
with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin
that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who
will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God
through Jesus Christ our Lord! The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Gospel Hymn- Stand Renew H 93

The Gospel- Matthew 11: 16-19,25-30: Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People: Glory to you Lord Christ

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation?
It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one
another,

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a
demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,
‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and
sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time
Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and
have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your
gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my
Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one
knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are
carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you Lord
Christ

Sermon Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

 the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the People- Form VI: Janet Voss

The Leader and People pray responsively
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;

People-For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those

who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; We pray for those
in the Military: Christopher Dawson, Justin Garey, Jaime
Grimes, Justin R. Hudson, Russell Knaub, Amber Mabrey,
Jared Farmer, Bruce Carroll, Darren Hearn, and John Hearn.

People-For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

People-For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and

oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; we pray
for the following:
Sick, and/or issues:
J ohn M acce y R egi na Mi l l er Bi l l S haw
Lex i M i l es S hi rl e y Bowden P aul a S wi ft
Em m a Fi s her Lori S cot t J ean Moss
Berni e Dupr as P rest on Bowden J im Fri el
Karen W ri ght Barb ara Faj no r Bri st ol Herd
M i chael C l ul e y Dorot h y Lom as D onal d Fr az i er
Nahei m S m i t h

For Good Health in Older Years:

Mollie Revels
People-For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and
the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

People-For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the
Truth.

For [The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry our Presiding Bishop,

and The RT. Rev. Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan Bishop, Bruce
Lomas our Priest, Vestry Group: Viva, Connie, Lee, Alyce,
George, & Susan and the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer- The
Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding
Bishop and for all bishops and other ministers;

People-For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Silence
The People may add their own petitions

Hear us, Lord;

People-For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. I ask your
thanksgiving for the:

Birthday of Barbara Ross

Flowers given in Celebrations of Janet & Don’s Anniversary
and Birthday’s of Janet, Grandson Max, and Grandson Eric

Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King;

People-And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, _________________________ that

they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence
The People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

People-Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Leader and People

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.

The Peace

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People- And also with you.

Offertory Hymn- Stand Renew H 248

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,

faces them and sings or says

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Life up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-
where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on

other occasions as appointed.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and

Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever
sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Celebrant and People

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.
 Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us

for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become
subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human
nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the
God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross,
and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice
for the whole world.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to

hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the
cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel
containing wine to be consecrated.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our

Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks
to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the
remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you
and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in

this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the

Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new
and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully
receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,
and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints
into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and
with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor
and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior

Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
 as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times

except during Easter Season. In place of, or in addition to, the
preceding, some other suitable anthem may be used. Facing the
people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

And may add- Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then

immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these
words

The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in

everlasting life. [Amen.]
or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

Announcements

Recessional Hymn- Stand Renew H 247

Dismissal

Alleluia, Alleluia, Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the

power of the Spirit! Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia
Announcements:

Church Directory- Noah Link would like to get everyone

pictures for a church directory that he will be making for us.
He will be taking pictures starting next Sunday July 16 and
then again on July 23 and July 30 following church.

-Sunday of Hope- On Sunday August 6, 2023 we will be

celebrating a “Sunday of Hope” as part of the American
Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a
celebration of HOPE in the fight against cancer. As part of our
Sunday of Hope, we will be including luminaria, candles lit
inside bags filled with a block for the candle, each one bearing
the name of a person touched by cancer. We are giving you the
opportunity to order a Luminaria “In Honor Of” or “In
Memory Of” a loved one. These Luminaria will be used to
decorate our sanctuary for this special service. Please fill out
the form and return along with your donation (Checks made
payable American Cancer Society) by Sunday July 30, 2023.
Form and money can be turned into the plate or given to
Heather Crouse. Thank you.

-Relay for Life- Many of you know that I have many friends
and family affected by cancer. This year our Relay for Life
Team (Sunshine 4-H) has been working hard to raise money to
help with cancer research. Our relay event will take place on
Sept. 9th in Georgetown. If you would like to donate, please see
me after church, or put in the church plate and please mark
Relay for Life on the envelope. I appreciate any support you
can give our team. Thanks Heather Crouse (Co-Captain)